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Public Relations
Woodstock Chili Cook Off 2010:
Family Alliance Wins “People’s Choice Award”
WOODSTOCK - Family Alliance, Inc. won the “People’s Choice Award” at the 2010 Woodstock Groundhog’s Day Chili Cook Off,
there were 11 entries overall. Family Alliance clients’ decided on the award winning recipe by testing and altering
different recipes to get the right mix of ingredients for the competition. Clients started their mission to find the
best recipe by making four different blends and eliminating the overall least favorite each week; while altering the
remaining choices. Judging was done by Family Alliance clients and staff. At the end of the four weeks Family Alliance
entered the one remaining recipe into the Chili Cook-off on January 30th at the Woodstock Opera House.
Above: Chuck Litts, Family Alliance Staff, poses with Woodstock Willie upon receiving the “Peoples Choice Award” on behalf of Family Alliance Inc.
Download the award winning recipe here
Family Alliance adds space, programs to handle growth
WOODSTOCK - For 91-year-old Sophie Woollacott of Crystal Lake and other senior citizens in McHenry County, Family Alliance's senior day program chases away boredom.
"I enjoy meeting the people," Woollacott said. "I have made some good friends. If I didn't come here, I'd be sitting in my room watching television.
"In March, Family Alliance Inc. of Woodstock will celebrate its 25th year of providing support services for seniors and their families, including support groups, counseling, and case management.
United Way funds pay for the nonprofit organization's adult day program, said Carol Louise, executive director. The program gives physically and mentally frail seniors a place to socialize and participate in activities, and it gives their caregivers some time off.
For information about Family Alliance Inc., call (815) 338-3590.
People can send United Way donations to 4508 Prime Parkway, McHenry, IL, 60050, or donate online at www.uwmchenry.org.
Those who donate to the United Way through their employer can ensure that their money comes back to McHenry County by including their ZIP code on donation forms or indicating where they would like their donation to go.
"The mission is to keep them at home for as long as possible and forestall early institutionalization," Louise said.
The organization's 25th anniversary coincides with the ribbon cutting for a new addition to the facility, which will house a day program for people with dementia, Louise said.
The addition, planned since 2000, began in August and will be done by the new year, Louise said.
A separate area will allow people with dementia to be with those of similar capabilities and will facilitate activities specific to their needs, said Lynda Markut, training and consultation director and dementia specialist.
Markut co-wrote a book with Anatole Crane, president of the Family Alliance board, called "Dementia Caregivers Share Their Stories," which features support-group members, Markut said.
"These are the people United Way has supported through assisting us," she said.
The day program, attended by about 30 to 40 seniors daily, is offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Diane Welbon, day programs manager. A bus travels all over McHenry County to pick them up.
Activities include current events, topical discussions such as how to survive cold weather, crafts, memory games, and trivia.
The staff sees its role as providing options instead of total structure, like at a nursing home, Welbon said. The philosophy is called person-centered care.
"It's figuring out what the person needs and giving them choices," she said. "The clients will run the program themselves."
By JESSICA PERSONETTE
Project slated to accommodate elderly
Contractors are building access roads and a parking lot at the Family Alliance Inc. building on Route 47 in anticipation of a major project.
"Construction on the 3,200-square-foot addition will begin this summer,'' Family Alliance Clinical Director Lynda Markut said.
The addition at 2028 N. Seminary Ave. will double the available space for day care for senior citizens.
A growth in the number of county residents older than 55 and the success of the senior citizen day-care services prompts the expansion, Markut said. Family Alliance was started by Carol Louise in 1982.
Eighty-five clients are served regularly by the day-care program. Family Alliance also provides case management, counseling, individualized care and home-visit services.
Senior prom
WOODSTOCK - No matter how many times you hear them, there are some songs that almost force you to dance.
Just ask Frank Biggam.
Biggam, an 87-year-old retired engineer from Lake in the Hills, climbed to his feet and did an exuberant chicken dance with Maria Morrill, a caregiver at Family Alliance Inc. in Woodstock. A crowd of seniors, therapists, family members and friends cheered when Biggam and Morrill finished the dance with a flourish and a hug.
Biggam said he didn't dance often, but you would never know it to watch him at a special prom for Family Alliance clients Friday afternoon. For the past 25 years, the social-service agency has provided day services, therapy and support for county adults with situational, psychological and medical problems.
"I do enjoy going out," Biggam said. "Something like this is just fun."
The dance, themed "When You Wish Upon A Star," was the cap to a week of celebration in honor of National Adult Day Services Week.
About 40 senior clients donned suits and gowns for the two-hour prom. They twisted, waltzed and fox trotted around a day-services room that was decorated with twinkling white lights, falling paper stars, and a custom-made wishing well.
Elton John's "Crocodile Rock" sent the prom goers into a gleeful, dancing hubbub. Whether seated or standing, the group bobbed and swayed in time to the upbeat song.
Family Alliance, Inc. Addition of Doctor to Staff
Family Alliance, Inc., a senior care and training center in Woodstock, proudly announces the addition of Michael D. Raida, M.D. to our clinical staff. Dr. Raida will be replacing our previous psychiatrist, Dr. John Huh. Dr. Huh, who contributed 10 years of service to the senior clients at Family Alliance, will be moving out of the area.
Dr. Raida began his education at the University of Illinois at Chicago receiving a B.A. in Psychology with honors. After receiving his Doctorate at the Chicago Medical School, he completed his Residency in Adult Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina and completed his Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
His teaching accomplishments cover a wide range of lectures and bedside teaching to Psychiatry Clerkship Medical Students in addition to counseling patient families. After receiving an ECT Training Fellowship at Duke, he was appointed the Psychiatry Residency Outpatient Chief Resident.
Dr. Michael Raida is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Through Dr. Raida’s experience and education, Dr. Raida increases Family Alliance’s ability to provide extensive counseling and care management to the seniors and caregivers in McHenry County.
Located at 2028 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Family Alliance, Inc. is a not-for-profit adult day health care and day treatment center serving seniors 55 years and older experiencing health and behavioral health challenges. The agency provides advocacy and counseling, while supplying respite, education, training and support for family caregivers and healthcare professionals. If you would like more information about the eldercare services offered at Family Alliance, Inc., please call 815-338-3590.
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